William "Bill" A. Cross

William “Bill” A. Cross, 85, of Centralia, Kansas passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, Kansas.  He was surrounded by his family and lifted up in prayer.   

Bill was born on a blustery-cold day, December 8, 1937, on the family farm west of Seneca.  He was the son of Raymond and Thelma (Flentie) Cross and was the second child of two children born to Raymond and Thelma.  Bill attended Centralia High School and was active in football, basketball, track, and FFA.  He graduated from Centralia High School in the spring of 1956.  After graduation, he entered the United States Army Reserves and attended basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He was honorably discharged on January 31, 1964. 

After basic training, he returned home to work with his dad on the family farm.  After meeting the love of his life, Dora M. Haug, Bill converted to Catholicism, and Bill and Dora were united in marriage on September 12, 1959, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.  Bill and Dora were blessed with four children, Janice (Jerry) Montagne of McPherson, Kansas, Jackie (Greg) Askren of Ames, Kansas, Bob (Lynda) Cross of Centralia, Kansas, and Joy (Chad) Kramer of Marysville, Kansas; 17 grandchildren, Tyrel, Brice, Kyle (Pam), J.B. (Clari), Jewell (Zach), Janell (Cole), Alex (John), Hayden (Breanne), Bailey, Gabriel, Carson, Shea, Bellamy, Cam, Max, Kane, and Blaise; and 19 great-grandchildren. 

Bill lived farm life to the fullest and raised cattle, pigs, chickens, and dogs.  He loved his horses and treated them like family.  He actively participated in team penning competitions with his horses all over the area.  Bill grew wheat, corn, soybeans, milo, and even dabbled in sunflowers.  But his favorite part of farming was giving his grandchildren rides on the tractors or in the combine.  In his later years, he enjoyed driving around on his UTV checking crops and giving rides to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  This fall was his last harvest, and he operated the grain cart and worked cornstalks with a high-speed disk.  One of Bill’s proudest accomplishments was being awarded the Soil Conservation Windbreak Award in 2021.

Bill was a KSHSAA official for basketball and football and he officiated state championships in both sports.  He actively coached his son’s baseball teams and was always willing to help with his daughters' ball teams as well.  For many years, Bill ran the game clock for the Centralia High School basketball and football games.  Bill and Dora loved to travel and watch their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in many different sporting events.  In 2009, they were honored with the “Centralia High School Panther Fans of the Year.”  Even with all these different activities, Bill was still an integral part of his rural community.  For over 40 years, he was a member of the Center Township Board and he also served on the Nemaha County Farm Bureau Association Board.  Bill was a faithful and active member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. 

Bill’s family meant the world to him.  He was proud of the love the family extended to each other, especially whenever the family was together to celebrate holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions.  Bill loved sharing and listening to everyone’s special memories which usually resulted in everyone laughing until they cried.   

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dora on May 9, 2023; and his two grandchildren, Gabriel Cross and Bellamy Kramer.

Bill is survived by his four children; his 15 grandchildren; his 19 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Lois (Alvin) Kussman of Smith Center, Kansas.